Pipe support



May 30, 1933. E. AXLUND 1,911,485

PIPE SUPPORT Filed June 14, 19:52

IN V EN TOR.

WWK I ATTORNW moved.

Patented May 30, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENTOF ICE.

ANDREW n. AXLUND, on VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA, ass snon 'ro .To'NEs' 1330s. AsBEsTos 00., or, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OFYGALIFOYR'NIA PIPE SUPPORT Application' filed June 14,

This invention relates to pipe supports of the class commonly employed for suspending or supporting steam pipes in buildings, underground conduits, or similar installations.

Pipes, carrying steam or other heated fluids, contract and expand as the temperature of the fluid varies and as such are subject to longitudinal movement with relation to the pipe hangers or other supports pro vided. Pipes of this character are often provided with bends or right angular fittings, such as elbows or the like,and as such are not only subject to longitudinal move- ,ment but also tolateral movement. Hence,

if a pipe is to be properly supported, particularly where it is covered with aheat insulatingmaterial, a hanger or support must be provided which will allow both longitudi nal and lateralmovement asthe insulating covering is otherwise very apt to become damaged. Y

- The object of the present inventionis to generally improve and simplify the con-- struction and operation of pipe supports;

to provide asupport which will allow both.

, longitudinal and lateral movement of a pipe;

to provide asupport which is readily adjustable to accommodate pipes of varying diameter; and further, to provide a support that is cheap, but substantial in construction, and in which the parts may be standardized and few parts required. 7 r

The pipe support is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawing, in

which Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section of the pipe support showing one. of the supporting members in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the pipe support partially in section. 1

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the pipe support showing one of the supporting members re- Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of supporting bar. J 7

Referring to the drawing in detail, A in dicates a supporting bar constructedof channel iron or the like. This baris supported inany suitable manner, for instance, on a pedestal in an underground conduit, or by a tudinally slotted, as indicated at 8, and that 1932. Serial No. 617,085.

bracket or hanger, if installed in a building or. the like. Pedestals, brackets, and hangers of different types may be employed and illus tration thereof is, accordingly, thought unnecessary. p v

The supportingbar A forms a support for a pair of vertically disposed. cone-shaped rollersgenerally indicated at B, and these in turn form a support for a heated fiuidconducting pipe, such. as indicated atC. The cones form an anti-frictionsupport for the I pipe which permits a free longitudinal movement of the same during expansion and contraction. Each cone is provided with a vertically disposed pin or shaft extension 2 which is guided orrjournaled in a bearing sleeve 3. A race-way for the reception of ballbearings 4: is formed between the upper end of the bearing sleeve and the base-of the cone soas to reduce friction to a minimum and an annular downturned flange 5 on the. cone forms a guard to exclude dirt and other foreign matter. The cone, together with the bearing sleeve and the interposed ball bearing, is secured against separation, when assembled, by a screw or pin, such as indicated at6, 'said pin projecting into anannular groove 7 in the lower end of the shaft so as to permitfreev rotation of the shaft and cone. I A V It was previously stated that a pipe support of the character de'scribed should not only permit free longitudinal movement of the pipe with relation to the support, but also lateral movement with relationthereto; In 35 the present instance, lateral movement of the cone-shaped rollers B is accomplished as follows: By referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be noted that the supporting bar A is longithe supporting bar forms a support for a plate 9. This plate has openings 10 formed in oppositeends thereof, said openings having a diameter equal to the width of the slot 8. The bearing sleeve ends 3 ofv the conesh'aped rollers are insertable in the openings 10-and project not only through'the plate 9v 1 but also through thefslotted portion 8 of the supporting bar. 1

. The plate 9 performs two main functions: i

rying length.

First, that of a spacer plate which determines the spacing between the cones; and secondly, that of a floating support which permits the cones, together with the pipe G supported thereby, to move laterally of the direction of the pipe or'longitudinally of the. support- 3 ing bar A. Hence, if there is anylateral movement of the pipe line C with-relation'to its longitudinal axis, such movement is permitted. as the plate 9 which carries the coneshaped' rollers B and the pipe is permitted to move freely in the slot 8 from end to-end thereof. The plate 9 has another important function as it provides an adjustableemeans whereby the spacing between the cone-shaped --rollers B-may be'increased or decreased to suit pipes of varying diameter. For 111- -stance,if a'pipe of thediameter shown at C l is employed, the spacing between the'conea shaped rollers will be such as shown in Figs;

* l and 2. If a larger pipe is employed, a plate 9 having a greater spacing between the holes 10 may be employed. In other words a mum *"ber of plates, such as shown at 9,.may be employed-with different spacings between the holes 10 so as to permit any spacing desired -between the cone-shaped rollers.

There are some-instances in which lateral I movement of the pipe line isentirely absent and, in such instances, floating on lateral movement of'the'cone-shaped rollers is not required. Supporting bars, such asshown atD in Fig. 4, may then be employed; that is, the main web of the channel'barfis merely provided with perforations orholes,such* ,as.shown .at:10a. If a comparativelysmall pipe is to be supported by the cone-shaped rollers,.the bearing sleeves 3 are inserted in thefirst set of holes, as shown'atlOa. 'If a largerpipe is to be supported, the coneshaped'rollers may be inserted in the holes indicated at 10?), hence a quick and ready adjustmentis-obtainable where pipes of varying diameter are to be supported audit is V accomplished without increasing or 'decreasin'g the size of the rollers, or any other parts" employed, and where a floating lateral movable support'is required, it is only necessary 'to provide plates, such as shown at 9, ofva- The vertical disposition of the conershaped rollersB is important as it eliminates the necessity of providing any means for secur- ;.ing.the cone-shaped rollers with 'relation to thesuppOrting bar; that is, the cone-shaped ithermore, by vertically disposingthe cone shaped rollers two inclined surfaces aregprovided,' for1the: supported pipe. -The contact I r area between the pipe and the rollers'beco'mes a mere line contact, friction and binding acntlOIllS reduced-hence eliminating any tendshaped rollers to accommodate their reception. Theseiholes may be closely spaced or separated as far as desired and pipes of varying diameter Will thus be taken care of without increasing the size of the cone-shaped rollers or the supporting parts;

Few parts are employed, to-wit, the supportingbar A, and a'pair of cone-shaped rollers, these being the only parts required where lateral movement of the pipeline is not encountered. But where floating or lateral movement must be taken care of-the only additional member employed will-"be; the plate 9. 'The'part-s are simple, substantial in construction, cheap to manufacture. They are quickly assembled and time and labor of installation is reduced to a minimum. The pipe line iitself is, furthermore, free to move in all directions and i-tmay be readily-removed from the cone-shaped supporting members as overhead obstructions may be entirely eliminated.

While certain features of the present invention are more vor less specifically'described,

I wish it understood that various changes may'be resorted to within the scope of the -ppendedclaimsi "Similar y, hat the mate"- rials and finish of the several-p 'plo'yed-ma-y be such as the manufacturer may'decide, or varying conditions or uses -maydemand. H

' Having thus described my invention, what claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patent -is 1. A pipe support comprising a supporting bar, and a'pairof interspaced'vertically disposed cone-shaped rollers journaled on the surfaces for the'support of a pipe.

2. A pipe support comprising a-supporting-bar, a pair of interspaced vertically disposed cone-shaped rollers journaled on the barand forming a pair of opposed inclined surfaces for the support of a pipe, and means for varying the spaces between said. conepipes of varying diameter. a 3. A pipe support comprising a supporting bar, apair of interspaced vertically disposed cone-shaped rollers journaled on the bar and forming a pair of opposed'inclined surfaces for the support of a pipe, and means permitting longitudinal movement of the rollers in the supporting bar.

" 4. A pipe support comprising a support- 1ng bar,-a plate longitudinally movable on .said bar, and a pair of interspaced'verti bar andforming a pair ofopposed inclined cally disposed cone-shaped rollers carried by the plate and forming a pair of opposed inclined surfaces for the support of a pipe.

5. A pipe support comprising a supporting bar, said bar having an elongated slot formed therein and extending longitudinal- 

